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Full-Text Articles in Science and Technology Law

Fair's Fair: An Argument For Mandatory Disclosure Of Technological Protection Measures, Robert C. Denicola Oct 2004

Fair's Fair: An Argument For Mandatory Disclosure Of Technological Protection Measures, Robert C. Denicola

Michigan Telecommunications & Technology Law Review

Section 1201(a)(1) of the Copyright Act prohibits the act of "circumvent[ing] a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work," including, for example, by-passing password protection or encryption intended to restrict access to paying customers. Section 1201(a)(2) prohibits the manufacture or sale of "any technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof" primarily designed for the purpose of circumventing access controls on copyrighted works. Additionally, § 1202(b) prohibits the manufacture or sale of products, devices or services primarily designed to circumvent "a technological measure that effectively protects a right of a copyright owner"--for example, a technological measure intended to …


The Experimental Purpose Doctrine And Biomedical Research, Tao Huang Oct 2004

The Experimental Purpose Doctrine And Biomedical Research, Tao Huang

Michigan Telecommunications & Technology Law Review

The experimental use doctrine is a common law rule in patent law that until a few years ago excused accused infringers who made and used patented products or processes on the basis of an experimental, educational, or nonprofit purpose when there was de minimis economic injury to the patent owner and de minimis economic gain to the infringer. While the application of the experimental purpose doctrine was always narrow, two recent Federal Circuit decisions indicate that there is not much left under its aegis. In Madey v. Duke University, the Federal Circuit strictly limited the application of the experimental purpose …


Better, Faster, Cheaper - Later: What Happens When Technologies Are Suppressed, Kurt M. Saunders, Linda Levine Oct 2004

Better, Faster, Cheaper - Later: What Happens When Technologies Are Suppressed, Kurt M. Saunders, Linda Levine

Michigan Telecommunications & Technology Law Review

Some inventions never see the light of day. Others enter the spotlight after long delays and the factors that slowed the arrival of that innovation are ignored. Technology suppression is a real occurrence involving well known and widely used products. In this Article, we examine the topic of technology suppression, seeking to reveal the tactics of suppression and the patterns and conditions under which it occurs. Current examples of US technologies are used to highlight the significance of this phenomenon. We consider related factors, including market and innovation forces, and we identify suppressive tactics, using illustrative cases where patent nonuse …


An Examination Of Patents, Licensing, Research Tools, And The Tragedy Of The Anticommons In Biotechnology Innovation, Michael S. Mireles Oct 2004

An Examination Of Patents, Licensing, Research Tools, And The Tragedy Of The Anticommons In Biotechnology Innovation, Michael S. Mireles

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

The continued development of and affordable access to potentially life saving pharmaceuticals, gene therapies and diagnostics is unquestionably a socially important issue. However, crafting government policy to encourage the development of and allowing affordable access to those services and products is difficult. On one hand, the development of those services and products requires a large investment of funds because of the complexity, collaborative nature, and uncertainty of the development of those products and services. Accordingly, investors require the safety of strong and stable patent rights to ensure a return on their investment in the development of a commercial end-product or …


Protecting The Next Small Thing: Nanotechnology And The Reverse Doctrine Of Equivalents, Andrew Wasson Sep 2004

Protecting The Next Small Thing: Nanotechnology And The Reverse Doctrine Of Equivalents, Andrew Wasson

Duke Law & Technology Review

If even a fraction of the predictions about nanotechnology are realized, our society will be a dramatically different and better place than it is today. Yet, due to the infancy of the field, it is still unclear how traditional patent doctrine will be applied to nanotechnology. As it stands, the creators of nanoscale versions of traditional products might face infringement claims from traditional patent holders. The reverse doctrine of equivalents serves as a possible mechanism to equitably excuse the literal infringement of traditional patents by nanotech inventors in a way that encourages the progress of science.


Case Comment: Society Of Composers, Authors And Music Publishers Of Canada V. Canadian Association Of Internet Service Providers, Barry Sookman Aug 2004

Case Comment: Society Of Composers, Authors And Music Publishers Of Canada V. Canadian Association Of Internet Service Providers, Barry Sookman

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

The exponential growth of the Internet has raised serious issues related to liability for copyright infringement. Who should compensate authors and publishers for the use of their works? What activities constitute infringement? Are Internet intermediaries such as Internet service providers (ISPs) liable for infringement when they provide connectivity to subscribers, when they provide hosting services, or when they use caching technologies? Where does infringement occur? Is the scope of the Copyright Act limited to acts of infringement that occur wholly within Canada or does the Act apply to acts that take place partly in Canada and partly outside of Canada? …


Three Years Under The Pipeda: A Disappointing Beginning, Christopher Berzins Aug 2004

Three Years Under The Pipeda: A Disappointing Beginning, Christopher Berzins

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

As of January 1, 2004, after a three-year phase-in period, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) came fully into force. Although considerable uncertainty currently prevails due to unanticipated events such as the resignation and replacement of Commissioner George Radwanski and the late constitutional challenge by Quebec, there is now sufficient experience with the legislation to begin to assess how the PIPEDA is working. It is also a timely juncture to do so with the extension of the legislation to the provincially regulated private sector.


Privacy Of Genetic Information In Canada: A Brief Examination Of The Legal And Ethical Tools That Should Frame Canada's Regulatory Response, Stephen Orr Aug 2004

Privacy Of Genetic Information In Canada: A Brief Examination Of The Legal And Ethical Tools That Should Frame Canada's Regulatory Response, Stephen Orr

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

This article investigates the legal and ethical tools that should inform Canada's regulation of the privacy of genetic information. We are the first generation faced with resolving the unique challenges presented by genetic information. Unfortunately, the patchwork of instruments that could regulate genetic information in Canada is insufficient. The prospect of Canadians increasingly generating genetic information without a satisfactory structure for protecting the information is rather alarming. It is therefore important that we commit to reexamining regulations regarding genetic information. Different loci of governance will likely be required. Canada should look to international law and comparative law for inspiration regarding …


Video Surveillance, Evidence And Pipeda: A Comment On Ferenszy V. Mci Medical Clinic, Anne Uteck Aug 2004

Video Surveillance, Evidence And Pipeda: A Comment On Ferenszy V. Mci Medical Clinic, Anne Uteck

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

One of the most common uses of surveillance is in the area of evidence gathering for investigation by litigators. Private investigators have long been retained for this purpose, and law enforcement officers routinely utilize surveillance devices to assist in the prosecution of a crime. The admissibility of video surveillance evidence obtained by private and government investigators is obviously not a new issue. What has come to the fore- front is the application of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act in the context of video surveillance evidence, and its impact on civil litigators. Privacy interests inherent in the collection, …


No Lego, Yes Logo: The Federal Court Of Appeal Protects Innovation In Kirkbi Ag And Lego Canada Inc. V. Ritvik Holdings Inc., Sean Robertson Aug 2004

No Lego, Yes Logo: The Federal Court Of Appeal Protects Innovation In Kirkbi Ag And Lego Canada Inc. V. Ritvik Holdings Inc., Sean Robertson

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

This article will discuss the case at the trial and appellate levels. It will specifically address the underlying policy debate between the majority and the dissenting decisions at the Federal Court of Appeal. The author will compare this debate to two similar international cases involving Lego’s infamous intellectual property litigation. With this recent finding in the 40-year-old saga of international case law surrounding Lego’s trade-mark enforcement strategy, the Appeal Division of the Federal Court of Canada joins the ranks of several other courts that have similarly excluded protection for Lego based on the doctrine of functionality. The comment concludes with …


The Law Of Privacy In Canada (Student Edition) By Barbara A. Mcisaac, Rick Shields, Kris Klein (Toronto: Thomson Carswell, 2004), John D. Gregory Aug 2004

The Law Of Privacy In Canada (Student Edition) By Barbara A. Mcisaac, Rick Shields, Kris Klein (Toronto: Thomson Carswell, 2004), John D. Gregory

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

To help lawyers advise their clients on their rights and obligations in this complex and novel field, the various legal publishers have offered an array of guides and textbooks analyzing the law of privacy. Thomson/Carswell turned for its book to the national law firm of McCarthy Tétrault. Three McCarthy lawyers (Barbara McIsaac, Rick Shields, and Kris Klein) are listed as authors of The Law of Privacy in Canada, and several others have contributed significant parts of the text, and they have done a creditable job in pulling it all together. It seems to be the only thorough and up-to-date analysis …


Where Do High Tech Commercial Innovations Come From?, Lewis Branscomb May 2004

Where Do High Tech Commercial Innovations Come From?, Lewis Branscomb

Duke Law & Technology Review

On February 19, 2004, Dr. Lewis Branscomb gave the Meredith and Kip Frey Lecture in Intellectual Property at Duke Law School. In his speech, Dr. Branscomb discussed various models for turning basic scientific inventions into high-tech innovations and highlighted the roles that universities, private investors, and intellectual property law play in each model. Dr. Branscomb concluded that this intermediary process is the most important step in getting high-tech innovations to market.


Should Juries Hear Complex Patent Cases?, Jennifer F. Miller Apr 2004

Should Juries Hear Complex Patent Cases?, Jennifer F. Miller

Duke Law & Technology Review

A debate has arisen within the legal community over the existence and constitutionality of a so-called "complexity exception" to the Seventh Amendment. This exception would give a judge the discretion to deny a jury trial in a civil case if he or she feels that the issue is too complex for a jury to decide properly. This iBrief discusses the constitutionality of the complexity exception and the arguments for and against its implementation, with particular emphasis on the application of the exception to patent infringement cases. The iBrief then postulates that, while a blanket exception for patent infringement cases may …


A Chose By Any Other Name: Domain Names As A Security Interest, Andrew B. Cochran Apr 2004

A Chose By Any Other Name: Domain Names As A Security Interest, Andrew B. Cochran

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

There has been increasing study of the issues involved in using intellectual property as a security interest, but little corresponding consideration of domain names. The ascendancy in value of domain names to modern business increases their usefulness as a security interest to lenders and borrowers alike. Their use in this respect appears not to be weighed down by two of the most difficult issues facing intellectual property, namely conflicting jurisdiction between federal statutory interests and provincial property interests, together with establishing more readily acceptable methods of valuation. However, there is ambiguity about the actual form of ownership interest involved with …


Ef Cultural Travel V. Explorica: The Protection Of Confidential Commercial Information In The American And Canadian Contexts, Suzanne White Apr 2004

Ef Cultural Travel V. Explorica: The Protection Of Confidential Commercial Information In The American And Canadian Contexts, Suzanne White

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

Commercial information, once relegated to paper files stored in cabinets, is now more likely to be in digital form, allowing a myriad of people to access its contents. These electronic storehouses can subsequently be stored on the Internet, providing a handy but some- what risky means of archiving valuable information. The United States Court of Appeals (1st Circ.) judgment EF Cultural Travel v. Explorica1 is a clear indicator of the way in which the advent of the Internet has completely changed the constructive meaning of the traditional ‘‘office file’’. This paper attempts to provide an under- standing of the scope …


Recalibrating Copyright Law?: A Comment On The Supreme Court Of Canada's Decision In Cch Canadian Limited Et Al. V. Law Society Of Upper Canada, Teresa Scassa Apr 2004

Recalibrating Copyright Law?: A Comment On The Supreme Court Of Canada's Decision In Cch Canadian Limited Et Al. V. Law Society Of Upper Canada, Teresa Scassa

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

The Supreme Court of Canada’s unanimous decision in CCH Canadian Ltd. et. al. v. Law Society of Upper Canada marks a second recent decision by the Court that has major implications for the development of copyright law in Canada. In Théberge v. Galerie D’Art du Petit Champlain, the majority of the Court provided a significant articulation of the balance to be struck between the rights of creators and the rights of users of copyright-protected works. In doing so, it embraced an approach to copyright typical of U.S. copyright law in its heyday. The unanimous Court in CCH Canadian makes it …


Electronic Commerce - A Practitioner's Guide Edited By Alan M. Gahtan, Martin P.J. Kratz, And J. Fraser Mann (Toronto: Thomson Carwell, 2003), Harmonie Roesch-West Apr 2004

Electronic Commerce - A Practitioner's Guide Edited By Alan M. Gahtan, Martin P.J. Kratz, And J. Fraser Mann (Toronto: Thomson Carwell, 2003), Harmonie Roesch-West

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

At a time when there seems to be no clear consensus on how to regulate electronic commerce comes a much-needed discussion of the many salient factors impacting the matter in Electronic Commerce: A Practitioner’s Guide. The collaborative effort includes works from several authors, compiled by Alan M. Gahtan, Martin P.J. Kratz, and J. Fraser Mann. This guide is an excellent first step in clarifying the issues and summarizing the precedents and relevant statute law to date. Although the target is an audience of law professionals, other e-commerce stakeholders, including business pro- fessionals, will find this collection useful.


Of Neighbours And Netizens, Or, Duty Of Care In The Tech Age: A Comment On Cooper V. Hobart, Robert J. Currie Apr 2004

Of Neighbours And Netizens, Or, Duty Of Care In The Tech Age: A Comment On Cooper V. Hobart, Robert J. Currie

Canadian Journal of Law and Technology

The focal point of this comment will be the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada in Cooper v. Hobart, which appears to have made some significant changes to the elements of ‘‘duty of care’’, the foundational negligence concept. The Court framed its decision as refining duty of care analysis in order to properly deal with ‘‘novel claims’’ (i.e., those for which there is not an established or analogous duty of care in the existing case law). Given that the growth of elec- tronic commerce and Internet usage continues to spawn ‘‘novel’’ legal issues, Cooper is an appropriate starting …


The “Commercial Offer For Sale” Standard After Minnesota Mining V. Chemque, Campbell Chiang Jan 2004

The “Commercial Offer For Sale” Standard After Minnesota Mining V. Chemque, Campbell Chiang

Duke Law & Technology Review

The Supreme Court established a two-part test for determining when an invention is "on sale" under 35 U.S.C. §102(b) in Pfaff v. Wells Electronics, Inc. For the on-sale bar to be triggered, the invention must be "ready for patenting" and subject of a "commercial offer for sale." In Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing v. Chemque, Inc., the Federal Circuit expounded on what constitutes a commercial offer for sale. This iBrief explores what is considered a "commercial offer for sale."


Reducing The Need For Markman Determinations, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 53 (2004), Robert H. Resis Jan 2004

Reducing The Need For Markman Determinations, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 53 (2004), Robert H. Resis

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

The uncertainty as to whether claim interpretation decisions will survive appeal is an ever growing concern as the Federal Circuit’s reversal rate of lower court claim interpretations averages fifty percent. At a minimum, uncertainty in claim construction prolongs patent infringement disputes. Moreover, the reality is that many times it is the uncertainty of a claim’s scope and meaning that leads to litigation in the first place. In order to alleviate this stress on patentees, competitors and the federal court system, most if not all questions regarding the scope and meaning of claim terms should be clarified by the applicant during …


Developments In Patent Law 2004, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 1 (2004), Harold C. Wegner Jan 2004

Developments In Patent Law 2004, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 1 (2004), Harold C. Wegner

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

There are a great number of patent law doctrines that are currently under reconsideration by the Federal Circuit. These doctrines include patent claim construction under the 2006 Phillips case, the problem of foreign activity being used as patent-defeating prior art as shown in the recent Elsner case, the growing challenge of extraterritorial acts as patent infringement as presented in the 2004 expected cases of Blackberry and Eolas, the “Rule 105” implications for patent office practice in Sta Fruits, the change in willful infringement law set forth in the recent KnorrBremse case, the continuing problem of co-inventorship recurring in Xechem, the …


The Accidental And Inherent Anticipation Doctrines: Where Do We Stand And Where Are We Going?, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 63 (2004), Anne Brown, Mark Polyakov Jan 2004

The Accidental And Inherent Anticipation Doctrines: Where Do We Stand And Where Are We Going?, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 63 (2004), Anne Brown, Mark Polyakov

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

It is often unclear when a prior occurrence or disclosure of a claimed invention falls under the patent law doctrines of inherent or accidental anticipation. Courts have applied various tests in determining whether anticipation is inherent or accidental, and the cases are difficult to reconcile. Tests seemingly dispositive to establish an accident in one case may also appear dispositive to establish inherency. As a result of our analysis, we have developed a two-step test that can be used to reconcile the two doctrines and determine whether a product or process anticipates. The first prong is concerned with whether the prior …


Is The Acpa A Safe Haven For Trademark Infringers? - Rethinking The Unilateral Application Of The Lanham Act, 22 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 655 (2004), Jinku Hwang Jan 2004

Is The Acpa A Safe Haven For Trademark Infringers? - Rethinking The Unilateral Application Of The Lanham Act, 22 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 655 (2004), Jinku Hwang

UIC John Marshall Journal of Information Technology & Privacy Law

The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) was enacted in 1999 as a response to international disputes over Internet domain names because according to the Congress’ point of view, courts could not successfully protected American businesses in cases where nothing more that the registration of a trademark or its variation in a domain name had occurred. This article analyzes recent court decisions regarding domain name disputes after the enactment of ACPA focusing on reverse domain name hijacking in international, trademark related and gTLD disputes. The author argues that the in rem jurisdiction provided by the ACPA and the consequent extraterritorial effect …


The Inequitable Conduct Defense Lives On: 2003 Federal Circuit Decisions And Their Impact, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 189 (2004), Alan M. Kowalchyk, Thomas R. Johnson Jan 2004

The Inequitable Conduct Defense Lives On: 2003 Federal Circuit Decisions And Their Impact, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 189 (2004), Alan M. Kowalchyk, Thomas R. Johnson

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

The inequitable conduct defense remains a viable defense in patent litigation today, as illustrated in four 2003 Federal Circuit decisions. Though an alleged patent infringer must establish the elements of materiality and intent for a valid inequitable conduct defense, recent Federal Circuit decisions indicate that certain factual underpinnings bearing on materiality can raise an inference of intent. To most effectively counter this inference of intent, a plausible explanation for the questioned conduct should be provided by the patentee. However, in providing such plausible explanation, the patentee runs the risk of waiving privileged communications, which in turn may result in far …


Recent Developments In Trademark Law: The Ongoing Refinement Of Rights, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 258 (2004), Chad Doellinger Jan 2004

Recent Developments In Trademark Law: The Ongoing Refinement Of Rights, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 258 (2004), Chad Doellinger

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

The year 2003 saw a great deal of activity in the ongoing development of trademark law. While the law both reconnected with its bricks-and-mortar roots and expanded to accommodate new fact patterns in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, 2003 saw the beginning of a doctrinal contraction, with a requirement to tie inchoate harms to empirical foundations. Additionally, several issues of first impression were resolved, including the conclusion that domain names are a form of property. While 2003 saw a contraction of trademark rights, this is not necessarily a negative development for trademark owners. Instead, courts are merely refining the …


“Shamnesty” Vs. Amnesty: Can The Riaa Grant Immunity To File-Sharers From Copyright Infringement Lawsuits?, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 279 (2004), Natosha Cuyler-Sherman Jan 2004

“Shamnesty” Vs. Amnesty: Can The Riaa Grant Immunity To File-Sharers From Copyright Infringement Lawsuits?, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 279 (2004), Natosha Cuyler-Sherman

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the industry trade association for sound and music recordings and represents various music companies, songwriters, and music artists. One of the main functions of the RIAA is to enforce its members’ copyrights. The RIAA is currently representing members in copyright infringement lawsuits. As an alternative to being sued, the RIAA announced that it would grant amnesty to file sharers who voluntarily identified themselves and promised to stop illegally sharing music. In reality, non-RIAA members and even RIAA members themselves can still sue file sharers because the organization itself does not have the …


What A Long, Strange “Trips” It’S Been: Compulsory Licensing From The Adoption Of Trips To The Agreement On Implementation Of The Doha Declaration, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 331 (2004), Mark C. Lang Jan 2004

What A Long, Strange “Trips” It’S Been: Compulsory Licensing From The Adoption Of Trips To The Agreement On Implementation Of The Doha Declaration, 3 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 331 (2004), Mark C. Lang

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

Startling numbers of people die every day because they do not have access to essential medicines and treatment for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, particularly in Africa and Asia. The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) was established by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to set a minimum level of protection of intellectual property rights across international borders, as well as promote and protect the welfare of humanity. This Comment reviews the history of the TRIPS Agreement, including the most recent adoption of the WTO relating to the issuance of compulsory licenses. Specifically, this Comment suggests that the …


Navigating The Bramble Bush In Idea Submission Cases, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 36 (2004), Lisa Pearson Jan 2004

Navigating The Bramble Bush In Idea Submission Cases, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 36 (2004), Lisa Pearson

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

Today’s law of idea submissions is a proverbial bramble bush for a variety of reasons. Both the legal theories of recovery and the viability of such claims differ widely from state to state. In addition, notwithstanding the vast body of idea-submission law, there are still many open issues. These complex, fact-specific cases still manage to ensnare plaintiffs and defendants alike in years of litigation. As such, finding one’s way through the bramble bush to defend against idea submission claims is a daunting task. This article provides a map designed to help the litigator navigate the thicket. Following the trail is …


Trademark Surveys: Development Of Computer-Based Survey Methods, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 91 (2004), Robert H. Thornburg Jan 2004

Trademark Surveys: Development Of Computer-Based Survey Methods, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 91 (2004), Robert H. Thornburg

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

Courts have continually utilized surveys to show evidence of secondary meaning, genericness, dilution, and functionality in trademark litigation. In conducting a trademark survey, an expert must consider various factors that may affect the admissibility of the survey in court, including assuring the correct universe of respondents are questioned, implementing controls, and verifying the results. In light of these considerations, as well as the ever-changing environment of consumer shopping, the manner and mode of survey that a court accepts as appropriate must adapt to these conditions. The use and acceptance of online and computer-based surveys is not currently well received by …


When Politics Interfere With Patent Reexamination, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 160 (2004), Amy L. Magas Jan 2004

When Politics Interfere With Patent Reexamination, 4 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 160 (2004), Amy L. Magas

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

Reexamination was created to reconfirm the presumed validity of a patent without requiring the patentee to endure the expense of litigation. The Patent Act allows anyone to request reexamination of a patent based on newly discovered prior art. Upon finding that the request raises a substantial new question of patentability, the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office may order reexamination. Even if a request is not made, the Director may sua sponte order a reexamination. Such reexaminations are only initiated when questions of public policy arise and there is no interest by any other pson. However, in …